Do you want software to locate shared items in a list?
Do you want software to locate shared items in a list?
The documents provided include trade list samples and contract notes in PDF, Excel, and PDF format. The goal is to identify which entries appear in both sets. There are approximately 40 to 50 pages of contract notes and 20 to 30 pages of trade lists. We require a software solution that can perform this comparison.
What constitutes a "common entry"? Which specific elements are being examined within each list?
Yes, it seems there are numerous connections between various columns or fields in the two lists (tables). I believe you are dealing with many-to-many relationships across different fields.
I notice that the upper table labeled as the Contract Note list and the lower table as the Trade List (unlabeled) are correct.
In general, it appears you're handling complex matches between multiple columns in both lists. Before proceeding with searches for common entries, it would be helpful to identify a shared column or field that can link the tables.
A trade no could be a suitable starting point, but the Trade List currently lacks values in that column.
Still, a straightforward approach might involve a simple search beginning with certain values (such as text, date, or numbers) in the Contract List and then checking for matches in the Trade List. This would require parsing fields, performing string comparisons, and possibly converting formats (e.g., text vs. numeric).
Various tools exist for document comparison and flagging discrepancies—possibly even simpler methods could be used. Options include using apps to compare files or leveraging a database solution.
The Contract Note list seems well-structured enough for import into a database table or Excel file. The Trade List (Excel) can easily connect to the Contract List via trade numbers.
If you choose, I would opt for a database solution, even if some data comes from linked Excel sheets. This is especially useful as lists expand and data updates become necessary.
It would be beneficial to clarify which fields are being compared, how matches are identified, and what format the results should take.
Examples of the process could include searching for a specific date in the Contract List and matching it against entries in the Trade List. The expected output would depend on the criteria used.
What software tools have been tried so far? Which ones proved effective or ineffective?
Consider handling this yourself to reduce costs related to purchasing or licensing software.
Overall, a bit more information would be helpful.
A few adjustments could greatly simplify and streamline the comparison process.